Why Man City Couldn’t Beat Real Madrid 

Madrid’s defense needs this credit! Rudiger, 34 year old Nacho, and “2nd” GK Lunin, were unreal. Carvajal as well! Incredible work rate, incredible stamina

Is no one gonna talk about how well Carvajal and Valverde marked Grealish, they gave him no room. Also, KDB missed easy goals and Haaland looked abysmal whole game.

Here is the explanation on why Silva shot his penalty in the middle. If you remember the World Cup, as advised by Martinez to his team. If they save a penalty, shoot in the middle on the next one. Because the opposing goalie will be pressured to make a save too and will most likely dive under that pressure. A cunning tactic on his side, but props to Lunin. Looks like Lunin was present in that class too and he took notes, instinctively knew what was about to happen.

The fact that Madrid did this without their starting goalkeeper, without their two starting center backs, without their starting defensive midfielder, AND without a true striker is actually amazing to me. People forget all of the players (actual starters) Madrid were missing

For someone who talks about tactics, you sure didn't talk about how well oiled Madrid themselves were in their defense and how they played. You can say that City's tactics were amazing, but it takes an even better defense to stop that

This analysis talks about what city did right and wrong but didn’t really talk about what Madrid did right. City didn’t lose because they did something wrong, they lost because Madrid defended well

Man city had 2/3 of the possession. but, often without any clearcut chances. They created 1 chance what kdb missed. And the goal came from Rüdigers deflected defensive action which luckily perfectly fell in kdbs path. 46 attempted cross reminded me of FIFA14 days.

The timing of that a Rodrygo goal was huge …it basically made city play anxiously the rest of the game. If city had that amount of the ball in and Real Madrid had not scored they would have converted a couple of those chances they missed.

Not the best example this game, but generally over the past 5 years Real Madrid's low-mid block is the best in the world by far. It annoys me when people call it ''parking the bus'' when they're blatantly playing to win the game, merely cautiously, waiting for the right time to pounce --- and it's entertaining to watch. If you take any elite team around the world that is weakest against low-mid blocks, (which most control possession teams are,) 9 times out of 10 they won't beat Real Madrid, who execute it to perfection. I can see them winning at least another 2 CLs over the next 5 years if they can keep doing so.

Ancelotti returned to that AC Milan golden era defense last night. Saying they parked the bus is a cop out and undermines the tactical genius of defending that they did last night Edit: I think people just say “park the bus” because they don’t know what defensive tactics are.

Carlo's Madrid knocked out Pep's City twice in the last three years and in both of those occasions Madrid won because their players showed strong character and fighting spirit. As excellent as City are their players are, they're effectively robots or pawns. Souless husks that have nothing to offer the game beyond the coach's instructions. Thank you Carlo and Madrid, for carrying the banner for inventiveness and creativity of football players. For letting people who love the sport enjoy watching great players create, invent and amaze. Jude Bellingham's first touch in Madrid's goal was worth the price of admission, City's robotic patterns were basically the opposite.

Credit to Bahim Diaz, constant defensive pressure and runs forward. Seemed tireless.

The defensive line and commitment by Real Madrid players as a unit to keep city playing wide and not pass directly through the middle was a major key they let Akanji being the link to pass the ball from the right to left knowing that he's not KDB and has no means to provide cut through pass into the heart of Madrid defense they wanted that 1v1 grealish and foden who was actually the worst player in the field completely taken by Mendy in the wide areas while carvajal was supported Valverde when he's not marking Rodri who also offered nothing to solve the conjestion he couldn't shoot like always go save city. The goal only came because Doku was introduced and he was more direct and Carvajal was already tired plus the Rudiger deflect so even city goal was not 100% perfect or by design. The astonishing thing is that defensive brilliant is not even something real madrid are known about they are an attacking team that the most time they can defend deep is 10 to 15 minutes but they did it for 110 minutes since the first 10 minutes madrid were more pressing high with the 4 attackers. At the end what allow us to say something brilliant or distasterous is a thin line. And it needed also city being not clinical in front of goal which is what they have shown the whole season. At the end Real Madrid deserved the win they came with a plan to not open the game and press aimlessly and those who complain about madrid defending are just wanting madrid to lose. When it came to penalties to crucial moments. Kepa telling lunin that Bernardo shoot in the middle and they took a gamble on it and Rudiger telling Lunin where Kovacic shoot

Arguably the best analysis of the game I have seen online. Well done!

I see a lot of people saying that Madrid parked the bus but ask yourself fuck you supposed to do when you have up to 8 players on the 3rd attacking zone ??? 1v1?? Hnnn best thing was to protect all the zones in the 1st defensive zone

As someone down in the comments said: "City didn't lose because they did something wrong, they lost because Madrid defended well"

What do you mean City battered them? Real Madrid defended exceptionally well. This same mentality is literally the reason why defensive midfielders, defenders or goalkeepers never win Ballon d'Or. Real Madrid hit City where it hurts them: a low block. And a low block filled with world class players is what beat Manchester City in this case. Not many teams can hold out defensively like this. Football isn't all possession, "shots", xG or all that other crap, get it through your skulls.

I just don’t understand one thing….why didn’t pep just try to feed haaland the ball as a last resort play? He’s plenty fast to beat nacho in the air with a ball over the top. The only times they tried to find haaland was when all of man city and Real Madrid were in the same half. (West ham played today vs Leverkusen and westham’s vs first goal is a great an example of how they could’ve abused haaland’s abilities) Instead it turned into let’s give the ball to our center backs and hope and pray for spaces to open up. It has barely worked all season and we have seen that plenty of times throughout the season because the opposition always drops all of their 10 players in the back but pep is so damn stubborn that he plays that same way with everyone. The first game vs Real Madrid man city scored 3 goals and none of them came because of pep’s tactics, in fact man city have struggled scoring for a while now and I’m not saying I know better than pep but you can’t keep doing the same damn thing over and over again vs good coaches they’ll adjust they’re not stupid

Lunin Said in the interview: „ we had 3 options where I can stay in the middle and we chose the right one“ 🥶

Huge credit to Madrid's defence masterclass

Answer to this question is simple: City made one major mistake that Madrid capitalized on. City missed 4 or 5 prime prime chances and didn’t get one of the usual screamers they usually get. City played well. They lost lost. Simple as that. Also it was 1-1… not like a regular time loss

For all the peeps fighting about who won tactically in the comments. One team played absolute control and attack the other playes full on defense and relying on counter 120min of play ended in a draw means IT WAS A TIE TACTICALLY. Here it comes to individuals, and individually Madrid won by executing their game plan better. And I say this as a city fan!

Man city is the best team in the world right now. They forced Madrid to play defensively most of the game and forced the team to do an outstanding collective effort. This match proves how difficult is to win the champions league and that these two teams are the modern biggest European rivalry at the moment. The respect the have for each other is beautiful and both will keep achieving plenty of titles if they keep running their clubs this way. HALA MADRID!

Not a bad video. Your bias is obvious though. They were the better side offensively, but Madrid were the better side defensively. Not to mention Madrid were leading for most of the tie, because goals are what win games. Not possession or crosses.

because that is what RM wanted 😂😂 . Pep's teams are extremely inefficient, and when you look at the stats in relative terms, RM were superior both offensively and deffensively

Love how this guy completely ignores the fact that Madrid could have scored 2-3 more goals in the first half through excellent counters. In fact both teams created the equal amount of big chances this game, 3 each and both missed 2.

Been waiting for this man..........❤thanks

So are we really gonna talk about Man City big chance and pretend like that Rudiger chance in the Extra-time didn’t happen?

I'm a Madridista and I loved this video! I learned so much about tactics and strategy! Much respect for you, your club, and your work!

No Stones meant Akanji's lack of passing threat hurt City. And Foden is not ruthless. Like if Foden were an efficient in the box finisher, he gets two for City because of Real Madrid's defensive shape. City should have used a second stone cold killer finisher behind Haaland to exploit Haaland being tightly marked.

Is anyone gonna mention that no City player wanted a 1 on 1 vs Ferland Mendy. Guy is a defensive beast.

Arsenal, City, Liverpool, and West Ham United are gone in just 48 hours. Aston Villa only won because of their goalkeeper's luck. A disastrous week for English Football in Europe.

Wow dude! I am really educated right now thanks to this video. As an enthusiast of the game for 30+ years, I have slowly started to think about tactical play. I always simply watch the flow, the psychology, the personalities and the positioning. The different game plans(442, 352, 532 or watevs), I havent thought about how precise the execution of the tactical strategy must be in order to outfox the opposition. It has become very complex using great analysis/research of possible movements on the pitch. I have always thought that there is a ceratin amount of leeway for the players. But then I also know they are hired to execute the plan perfectly. In unsuspected scenarios, how do the players regain their 'tactical form'? Emotions and dynamics alter many things. Your video confirms the importance of the manager. Very little emotionally driven decisions are key, and by extension the discipline to execute the plan by the players is even more important. This especially when the losing side must change the game plan. Its fascinating. Thank you so much! You know your stuff.

your videos are hilarious. Will you do one for Bayern/Arsenal too?

City fan here. I am crushed about the loss. We dominated madrid but couldnt win

Amazing Analysis as ever!

This guy is great. The pain is still substantial. Hope this fuels pep & the crew to avenge this loss next yr.

IT'S FOUR FOUR F*CKING TWO TIME

Loving the way you present these games. Keep it up

Great video bro!

Excellent video Adam, as usual. City fan here. Great insights. Keep it up.

Hope the teams playing City in their remaking matches watch this. But Liverpool also have to raise their game and convert chances

What a great analysis. I am looking forward to start watching football more analytically.

I think Manchester City gets to predictable passing from side to side from left to right from right to left not getting nowhere!!!! I think they should have isolated Doku more often with Carvahal and Carvahal already had a yellow card. They should have kept going to Doku with everyone else on the other side, this way there wouldn’t have no one to help Carvalhal.

Love your video mate!

I really love the analysis you do!🎯

i like the break down good channel i subscribed

If madrid sit back like they did they are almost impossible to beat as they are the best in the world with their block with the best right back in the world and mendy who is very good defensively and also they are best at counter transitions for the past 15 years

To me, it's simple. Ancelotti pulled a masterclass in Catenaccio. He's an Italian. ManCity played flawlessly. You can only blame luck for not making semi finals. And also may be Pep still needs a Messi in the team. Haaland is clearly not the answer for that talisman in big games.

Great breakdown of the tactics !

Pep plans doesn’t work with Spanish teams 😂 last year cam was just the weak link

They knew they couldn't beat city tactically, so they took them to penalties where it's 50/50. Nice strategy

Best football analyses anywhere anytime? Yep! Absolutely, no doubt!!!

Adam Clery suddenly showing up in a video about football. I didn't expect it. But I love it.

Adam, is that Eels sign behind you a reference to The Mighty Boosh? Kudos if so!

Most people criticizing Madrid for playing defensively but they forget defense is part of the game. Goalkeeping, defense, midfield and attack are the major parts of the game and you can capitalized on any of these but mostly combine to win a game or tournament. Don’t forget Carlo is an Italian, if the need be he can and will defend, you need strategy to do so. The real question is if City had to defense, could they?

Unbelievable clarity in the analysis

Brilliant channel!

Pep's tactic to use an elite level passing CB to step into midfield makes loads of sense, but given the way they play, I am surprised that the backup to Stones is a decent ball playing CB (Akanji) rather than looking to find a midfielder who would be capable of stepping back into defence when required. On the surface of it, feels like an easier profile to find than a Stones regen

Because they didn't convert their chances, which they absolutely had. Madrid showcased the the most striking example of parking the bus - literally all 11 players in their box pretty much throughout all the game. There's nothing to discuss here, it's the UCL where details decide: you use your chances, you advance; you don't, you fail.

Brilliant analysis

As a life long Madridista this video made me very happy thanks very much, very entertaining

This is the good stuff

Camavinga💫

great analysis

Best analysis of the match by a mile

Classic Pep's weakness : his plan is built on assumptions and has too many control. You mentioned chaos, and that's what missing from City or Pep. That's why they are boring to watch but successful, unless when they faced a prepared opponent who is lethal in attack but willing to defend. Yes, city is boring and their goals are boring... Except for when they decide to discard the perfection, like Shooting from miles away. Oh, and Haaland did look like Championship-level striker or perhaps league one?

Alo would like to point out that the reason why Bernardo had to wait for that ball for so long, was that after Edersons catch against Modric, Modric took that ball and rocketed it into stands. Cheeky play, but might have had an impact.

13:11 even Carvajal missed a chance like that where vini passed him in a lot of space

I love 442! 🔥

I think I read on the BBC Sport match feed that Guardiola was yelling to get the ball the Grealish...this video just explained why that was!

I don't respect teams who only know how to win one way.

"Better team by a mile".. ? Footbal is also defending and Madrid put in an absolute masterclass against the most dangerous team in the world. Put some respect on the UCL kings, bruv. Great video!😁

First of all, it's important to be aware that football is not about who dominates, but about who scores the most goals.

Playing better d’or, dominating possession d’or and salt d’or goes to city fans 😹😹😹

Pep play procession again. That’s mc loose.

Now Talk about all the right tactics made by Real Madrid’s coach and players

Brilliant explanation. 1. I saw akanji free many times allow city to attack with that extra player . Guardiola 1-0 2. Real Madrid is the better team that can be at the edge of the Cliff more than 90 min and beat you at the end. The defense of Real Madrid was unbelievable. Real Madrid 1-0. 3. Real Madrid prepared the penalties better. Kepa advised lunin the penalty shoot of Silva in 2019 carabao cup. And rüddiger advised lunin the side vs kovacevic. Real Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid winner.

Adam Mclery been on a generational run this week 🙌

คาร์เลตโต้รู้ดีจากนัดแรกที่แมนซิตี้ ยิงเรียลมาดริดได้สามประตูเพราะอะไร เมื่อมาถึงนัดที่สอง คาร์โลจึงเปลี่ยนรูปแบบการตั้งรับตั้งแต่แดนบนโดยวางผู้เล่นตรงกลางสนามไว้สี่คนเป็นด่านหน้าและอีกสองคนอยู่ด้านหลัง เพื่อบีบให้แมนซิตี้ไม่สามารถทำแบบนั้นได้อีกในนัดที่สอง และมันก็เป็นจริง แมนซิตี้ไม่สามารถยิงไกลแบบนั้นได้เลย ทำให้ความอันตรายลดลง และบีบให้ต้องเปิดออกด้านข้างไปที่กรีลิชตลอด ซึ่งเวอรวาเด้และคารบาคาวก็รอกรีลิชตั้งนานแล้ว

Grealish wasn’t effective. It was obvious that Dani Carvahal was comfortable against him. Also, Akanji was routinely getting into goal scoring areas but lacked the ability. Pep needed to be a bit more brave. But it’s hard to criticize a 2x treble winner. 🏆 🏆

Irrespective of him missing the penalty, Silva should have been subbed for Bobb in ET he was completely cooked and bobb would have forced an extra RM wide to stop the 1v1s and give more space in the middle. Akanji I think shouldve tried to occupy the back 4 more as well when he was the free man like he did for the goal he would give haaland more room and give an extra body for all those crosses

The only goal scored by City was a Rudiger failed clearance... and not a tactical play. This match should have finished 1-0 but things had to drag on.

Damn, Limmy knows his football game

Bottom line the only Man city shot on goal that actually went in, is because KDB got the ball from Rudiger for a easy finish. Aside from that, not too much trouble for Madrid.

At the moment in time Man city is the best team in the world whether you like it or not bcz the Real Madrid i know from the past would have never came to England targetting a draw like this Madrid of nowadays it speaks volume and shows you the highest level Man city have reached

Madrid defensive masterclass.

im sorry but the narrative that City played amazing and where unlucky is just false. City where a victim of their own discipline. It wasn't a genuis move for Pep to bring on Doku, Grealish done literally fuck all, Cravajal was the one dribbling him. When you play such a rigid system it can work wonders but a side as intelligent and experienced as Real can make it work against you. Real limited City to 2 chances in 120 minutes due to Peps stubbornness. He should have hooked Grealish at half time and moved Foden in centrally but its not the first time he has made stupid errors in the champions league

nacho, carvajal, and rudiger were fantastic. nacho in particular i thought gave one of his best performances marking haaland

I wish you used the same colored pins as the team jerseys they wore in the game.

I am ultimately proud of how we played, can't be mad about it. On its own, the control of the game City had and the way we suffocated them were deserving of victory. Imo, we lost this game far more than Madrid won it. But this is professional sports. If you can't actually put the ball across the line, you don't truly deserve to win.

The one thing i dont like about Pep's teams is they'll have a shit load of possession and be of no use. Pep to me only knows how to play one way and one way only which is Tiki Taka with a high line on defense. He makes zero adjustments when he runs against other top coaches thats why he gets beat in critical CL matches with the exception of last season and when he had Messi.

Real is comfortable playing defensively because they know their own class - it speaks for them that they were able to kind of tame Manchester City, an absolutely loaded squad of top class footballers. And it speaks for City that they were absolutely able to crush any and all attempts of Real to use their pace and skill to have fast counter attacks which they so love. Truly, two ridiculously good teams played each other. But I do have to point out two things: One is that Camavinga seemed to have a really bad day on his passes and was sometimes not fully as fully awake and aware as we all know him to be from Primera Division and other CL games. This is criticism on the highest of high levels, but him playing several passes straight into dead zones or just the feet of City players was wild to me. Two is that Kroos played really well defensively, even under pressure, but was almost entirely unable to activate his entire pitch-wide zonal control of sending off his attacking players due to City's extremely well played gameplan and -play. But I'm 100% certain that without Kroos, Real would have lost this game in the first 45 minutes and it wouldn't have been close.

Beautiful football truly lost this day; instead of City's flowing footie, we have to watch Real park the bus to the final!

Its just the way football goes sometimes. The better team often loses.

Analysis was good until the end. Bernardo just got read simple as that.

Just remember Real Madrid is coming into this match without Tchouameni, Alaba, Courtois and a good striker yet they still win against full team City in Etihad. This season is actually the best chance for City to beat Madrid as next season Madrid will have Endrick, Yoro, with the possibility of Alphonso Davies and Mbappe joining. Good luck winning against them then 😂😂😂

The early goal by Madrid set the flow of the match. The onus was on Citeh to probe. All Real had to do was not let Citeh thru..

Unfortunately, no one in the prem will take notes from Real and will routinely get pasted by City some more.

Pluz decaying taking the penalty also gives the goalkeeper time to think and stress himself and start overthrowing which may lead to hesitation but if u take it quickly the goalie just uses his instinct and dives anywhere making him save the pen